[NLRS] six meter au. & Broadband over Power Lines (BPL)

[Barry Malowanchuk]

Soap Box time ....Sorry!

I am one of those power company guys!  WE (I) am interested in (dominated
by) reliability !  Life as you know it does not exist without a reliable
electric system.

I support(ed) the hobby interests in the debate but not at the expense of
the electric system!

As much as you might find it hard to believe this PLC stuff is a critical
system in the operation of the Electric system in the USA and Canada.  Most
electric companies (not my QRL) cannot afford microwave or fibre optic
communications systems. They are investor owned utilities and their power
systems are smaller low cost operations. PLC they can afford and it can be
(if properly engineered) be very reliable....very cost effective!  Take part
of it away....for a hobby pursuit !?

Ham Radio is only a hobby !

>From my company's perspective I could have accomodated a Ham allocation
without much of a problem but at some cost . We (Electric Systems
operationally )are risk adverse....it MUST be reliable....it must work!

I understand  both sides...other companies many have been overly protective.
And why not!?  They don't have the clout ($) in Washington (although 9-11
has changed that regrettfully (without $)) and cannot afford the other
options.

You can poo poo the stance of the electric utilities (and I understand....I
was disappointed) but please try to understand.  Your government does....the
electric system is the heart of your economy...without it your world stops!

Best 73

Barry VE4MA
----- Original Message -----
From: "Dr. Gerald N. Johnson, electrical engineer" <geraldj@isunet.net>
To: "Barry Malowanchuk" <ve4ma@shaw.ca>
Cc: "Matt Arthur" <mattda@hickorytech.net>; <nlrs@mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Thursday, May 01, 2003 9:04 AM
Subject: Re: [NLRS] six meter au. & Broadband over Power Lines (BPL)


> Power companies that use VLF (80 to 350 KHz) PLC on long lines are the
> loudest objectors to the FCC allocation a US ham band at VLF. The power
> companies believe they are radiating and that hams running "high" power
> to minuscule antennas (maybe half a kw gets a watt or two ERP) will
> overcome the direct connections to the power lines that the PLC uses.
>
> 73, Jerry, K0CQ
>
> --
> Entire content copyright Dr. Gerald N. Johnson, electrical engineer.
> Reproduction by permission only.